Microbiology deals with diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. The Department ofMicrobiology in Tata Medical Center is committed to provide comprehensive service in the field of diagnostic microbiology, hospital infection prevention and control, and a clinical consultation service. The department comprises of two Consultant Microbiologists, two Fellows in Clinical Microbiology, one Fellow in Infectious Diseases, 5 Laboratory Technologists (BSc MLT), two Scientific Officers (MSc/PhD), and two Infection Control Nurses (MSc Nursing). Besides there are project staff on various research projects (ICMR/CDC/AIIMS/DBT funded). Most of the microbiology laboratory tests are NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited since the year 2014, and the center is also an ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) Regional Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance.

Diagnostic Assets

The diagnostic facility of the microbiology department includes the following instruments and equipment.

• Biological Safety Cabinets (Type II A2)
• Incubators (37°C, 25°C and Carbon Dioxide Incubators)
• Automated Blood Culture and Mycobacterial Culture systems, Automated Bacterial/Yeast Identification and Susceptibility Testing system
• LED Fluorescence Microscope for Mycology and Mycobacteriology
• Automated Serology System, Semi-Automated Serology System, ELISA Reader and Washer for manual serology
• Real-time PCR systems
• DNA sequencer (for Sanger sequencing)
• Spectrophotometer (for nucleic acid purity and quantification analysis)
• Membrane Filtration System (for water microbiology)
• Digital Chlorine Meter (for free chlorine measurement in water)
• Conductivity Meter (for total dissolved solid measurement)
• Air Particle Counter (for assessing quality of air in biological safety cabinets and HEPA filtered clean rooms)
• Quantitative Microbiological Air Sampler (for air microbiology)
• Water Purification System (for analytical grade laboratory water)
• Centrifuges (refrigerated and non-refrigerated)

Workload

The consolidated workload (no. of tests done) of the department is reflected in the accompanying graphic.

The data for the year 2011 was collected from June onwards, when the hospital started operations.

Infection Prevention & Control

These activities of the Institution are managed through the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) and the Infection Control Team (ICT). Dr. Sanjay Bhattacharya (microbiology consultant) is the chairperson of the HICC and Dr. Gaurav Goel is the Infection Control Officer for the hospital.

The infection prevention and control activities include training/awareness program on infection control (induction, department specific training), surveillance of health care associated infections, preparation of hospital antibiogram, infection control policy development including antibiotic policies, disinfectant policy.

The HICC and the ICT has also played a significant role in the following accreditation programs: NABH nursing excellence, Green OT certification.

Academic Activities and Research Projects

The department has regular (weekly) teaching programs regarding clinical, technical and infection control aspects of Microbiology. About 30 articles in peer reviewed journals and book chapters have been published from the Microbiology Department between (2011 to 2017 June) and workshops on Molecular Microbiology (ICMR sponsored), clinical microbiology and CSSD have been organized along with CMEs in Mycology, Hepatitis B and Infection Control.

Clinical Microbiology Fellowship Programme

The fellowship program in Clinical Microbiology is for 3 years. Its objectives include:

1. Training in Diagnostic methods in microbiology including molecular microbiology.
2. Hospital infection control and prevention.
3. Clinical consultation services in infectious diseases with respect to diagnosis, treatment (antimicrobial therapy), prevention and control of infections in Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant setting.

Infectious Disease Fellowship Programme

The fellowship program in Infectious Disease is for 3 years. Its objectives include:

1. Comprehensive training in Infection (comprising clinical, diagnostic, infection control and research activities)
2. Training regarding infectious diseases in Medical/Surgical/Radiation oncology, pediatric oncology and Clinical Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation

Environmental Microbiology

As part of the environmental microbiology services and internal quality control the microbiology department provides:

1. Water microbiology
2. Relative potency testing for antimicrobial agents
3. Sterility testing for blood and blood products
4. Sterility testing of medicines and infusion fluids

Central Sterile Supply Department

Microbiology department also looks after the quality control and administrative aspects of the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD).